Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle, yet extremely powerful, part of osteopathy.  While standard osteopathy is generally known for its high velocity cracks and crunches,
cranial osteopathy is so gentle you would barely know you were having it.  As the name suggests it involves manipulating the infinitesimal joints of the cranium or skull, known as sutures.  Although these sutures are so very tiny, they can become as traumatised or restricted as any joint in the body.  The cranial osteopath seeks to ease any abnormalities, gently returning the bones of the cranium to a position of ease and comfort.

What happens in a typical session of cranial osteopathy:

A detailed case history is taken with every new patient regarding current symptoms and medical history. This is followed by examining various movements of the body, both actively and passively. The diagnosis is explained to the patient and consent is taken for treatment.  

Treatment involves very light touch being applied to various parts of the body. Sometimes the patient can experience waves as the body releases and other times nothing is felt until days after the treatment.

What conditions can be treated using cranial osteopathy?

Muscle and joint pain Migraine/headache Chest and ear infections Sinusitus Asthma Anxiety/depression/fatigue/insomnia And many more……..	Central London osteopath Inderpreet Saigal doing cranial osteopathy on baby

Mother and Baby Clinic at the Central London Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinics:   
We offer osteopathy, shiatsu, acupuncture, gentle finger touches on acupuncture points, cranial osteopathy, pregnancy massage for the mother and baby.

Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy can be a wonderfully helpful and supportive addition to your standard medical care. The safety of mother and baby is paramount and a detailed case history and examination will always take place. Cranial osteopathy is likely to be the most relaxing and gentle treatment you can have
 
Relaxation and stress avoidance are especially important for the mother to be, and the gentle methods of cranial osteopathy can be very relaxing and therapeutic.  
 
Many women suffer from pubic symphsis dysfunction (PSD) in their last trimester again due to excess weight and softening of pelvic ligaments leaving the low back and pelvis vulnerable to strain.
Heart burn and indigestion due to the compression of the stomach and intestines against the ever developing uterus are also common problems.   
Back, leg, upper back and neck pain are very common during pregnancy due to the shear weight of the baby placed upon the body.
All of these conditions can usually be relieved using gentle cranial osteopathy especially modified for use in pregnancy. 

It is difficult to appreciate that babies can also suffer from strains within the body, but the fact is that birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives. The baby is subjected to enormous forces whilst twisting and turning, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. This naturally causes some overlapping of the skull and compression leaving the baby very stressed. 
Caesarean sections, though life-saving, produce a very 'sudden' birth, which can actually be very shocking for the baby. The baby has not had time to enter the world slowly through the various twists and turns encountered via normal delivery. 

As a baby has no verbal means of communication, these stresses can be manifested as:Constant crying and irritability
Feeding difficulties
Poor sleep patterns
Colic
Discomfort whilst lying on his/her back
Sickness and reflux
Excessive wind
Learning difficulties (such as autism and hyperactivity).

Forceps and Ventouse delivery aids often produce some degree of compression and bruising of the soft boned infant head, which can be very severe and with Ventouse extraction there is often a traction of the head which can stretch the whole of the cranium. 

As the baby grows and learns to cry, suckle and yawn, these stresses created from birth are usually released. However in some cases, the un-moulding process may be incomplete and this is especially so in the case of a particularly difficult or assisted birth